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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).